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UNDER 
A SPELL. 



J. DE W. GIBBS. 



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UNDER A SPELL 



4T 



% £omtty in On* %rt 



Translated from the French 



LABICHE AND JOLLY 

r M * 



J. DE W. GIBBS 







BOSTON 



1888 






CHARACTERS 

FRANCOIS CABOUSSAT A retired business man 

POITIMAS President of the Etampes Academy 

MACHUT A veterinary surgeon 

JEAN CaboussaVs servant 

BLANCHE CaboussaVs daughter 




copyright, 1888, 
By Walter H. Baker & Co. 



BOSTON: 
S. J. Parkhill & Co., Printers, 



UNDER A SPELL. 



Scene. — Caboussat's house at Arpajon. A coimtry par- 
lor. Door C, opening on garden. Side doors R. and l. 
A buffet l. Table r., with writi?ig 7naterials. Table at 
back, with cups, plates, etc, 

Jean {alone, arranging plates on buffet). Dear, dear ! 
No sooner does one get the plates arranged than they have 
to be put away again ; and they are hardly replaced on the 
shelves before they have to come out again. (A dish falls 
from his hands and breaks?) 

(Enter Machut.) 

Machut. Hulloa ! 

Jean. Oh, hang it ! The gilded salad-bowl. 

Machut. How industrious you are ! 

Jean. Oh ! It's only the horse-doctor. How you 
frightened me ! 

Machut. What will M. Caboussat, your master, say, 
when he sees these fine samples of crockery? 

Jean (gathering up pieces). Oh, he will not see them. I 
shall bury them at the back of the garden, — I have a nice 
little grassy mound there, near the peach-tree. 
{Enter Blanche.) 

Blanche. Jean! (Seeing Machut.) Ah, good-morn- 
ing, M. Machut. 

Machut {bowing). Mademoiselle. 

Blanche (to Jean). You have not seen that gilded 
salad-bowl anywhere, I suppose ? 

Jean (hiding pieces). No, Miss — 

Blanche. I want it to put some strawberries in. 

Jean. I think it must be in the dining-room sideboard. 

Blanche. I will go and see. It is remarkable the way 
the dishes disappear. 

Jean. I don't know of any having been broken ! 
(Exit Blanche.) 



4 UNDER A SPELL. 

M. -< chut. Well, you have got cheek ! 

Jean. Well, Monsieur, what would you have me do? If 
she knew the bowl was broken, think how unhappy she 
would be. 

Machut. Oh, by the way — I have come to see the , 
cow. 

Jean. It's no use. 

Machut. Why ? 

Jean. She is dead. I think she ate part of a decanter 
which was carelessly buried. 

Machut. Ah, you don't dig deep enough. 

Jean. True — but it has been so warm this month. 

Machut. By the way, this is a great day ! Your master 
must be in a fine state of excitement. 

Jean. Why ? 

Machut. Why, in a couple of hours they are going to 
elect the president of the Agricultural Society of Arpajon ! 

Jean. Do you think M. Caboussat will be elected ? 

Machut. I have no doubt of it. I have already drained 
thirty glasses to his good-luck ! 

Jean. Really ? Well, you don't show it. 

Machut. I canvass for your master. That is fair 
enough, since I am the family practitioner. 

Jean. There is an adversary of his who is a sly fox — 
M. Chatfinet — a retired lawyer — he has done nothing for 
the last month but gossip with the rustics. 

Machut. Ah, he has done better than that. Last Sun- 
day he went to Paris, and returned with half a hundred little 
red balloons, and distributed them gratis to the farmers' 
children ! 

Jean. Ah, that was very sharp ! 

Machut. Yes — but I have got even with him there ! 
I spread the report that balloons brought on hailstorms, and 
every one was destroyed immediately. (Chuckles?) 

Jean. What a diplomat this Machut is ! 

Machut. No, we don't want Chatfinet — to the deuce 
with Chatfinet — an impostor, who would bring his own vet- 
erinary surgeon with him ! 

Jean (aside). Oh, I see now. 

Machut. What we want is M. Caboussat. An honest, 
steady man, and a scholar. P^or one can see that he is a 
real savant ' . 

Jean. Oh, yes — he sits in his study for hours at a time, 



UNDER A SPELL. 5 

with a book in his hand — his eye fixed — his head immova- 
ble — as if — {incredulously) as if he did not understand. 

Machut. He is reflecting. 

Jean. He buries himself in thought. (Looking off.} 
Ah, here he is ! He is kk burying ' ? now. I must be off and 
" bury " too ! (Picks up fragments and exit). 
(Enter Caboussat, reading.) 

Machut (aside). He does not see me. 

Caboussat (to himself). ' ; Note : the past participle, 
constructed with avoir, and immediately followed by an in- 
finitive, agrees whenever the infinitive can be turned into a 
present participle. ? ' Oh ! how my head aches ! 

Machut (aside). That is probably Latin or Greek. 
Ahem ! 

Cab. (clapping book into his pocket). Ah, is it you, M. 
Machut ? 

.Machut. Do I disturb you, M. Caboussat ? 

Cab. No — I was reading. You have come about the 
cow ? 

Machut. Yes — I have heard the sad denouement. 

Cab. Yes, wasn't it funny ? A piece of glass. The cow 
was four years old — 

Machut. Ah, Monsieur, but cows will eat glass at any 
age. I knew one once who ate a sponge with which the 
carriages had been washed. She died. She was seven vears 
old. 

Cab. How frail a thing is — life ! 

Ma. Come, now; I want to talk with you about the elec- 
tion. It is coming on famously. 

Cab. Really ? Then they appreciated my address ? 

Ma. I should rather think they did. It was capitally 
delivered, and put together in such fine style! I count on an 
overwhelming majority, 

Cab. So much the better — if only to rile that old Chat- 
finet, my opponent. 

Ma. And, now, if you are elected, you may rise — yes, 
you may rise considerably. 

Cab. How do you know? 

Ma. Why not? You are already town-councillor — who 
knows but you may yet be mayor ? 

Cab. I ? Oh, what an idea ! But I am not ambitious. 
And the post has been filled by M. Roquet for the last 
twenty-five years. 



6 UNDER A SPELL. 

Ma. Still another reason. Each in his turn — he has 
been there long enough. Between you and me, I don't 
think he is a very able or learned man. 

Cab. Nevertheless — 

Ma. He does not understand Greek. 

Cab. But it is not necessary to understand Greek to 
make a good mayor of Arpajon ! 

Ma. It would do no harm, Monsieur. You see, I meet 
both kinds. Mark my words — before long you will wear 
the glorious scarf of mayoralty. 

Cab. I do not wish or expect it. But, nevertheless, as 
mayor — I see that I could do some service to my country. 

Ma. Certainly ; and you would not stop there. 

Cab. Once mayor of Arpajon — 

Ma. You would become district councillor — 

Cab. Frankly, I think perhaps I would ; and then — 

Ma. Councillor-general — 

Cab. Oh ! that is too much ! And then ? — 

Ma. Who knows ? M. P. perhaps. 

Cab. I would address the house ! And then — 

Ma. Oh, confound it! Then — I don't know ! 

Cab. {aside). Councillor-general— member of Parliament — 
{sadly) but no, it cannot be. I forget that it can never be. 

Ma. But one must begin at the beginning. First, you 
must become president of the Agricultural Society. I have 
seen the principal electors — they are all excitement ! 

Cab. Are they, really? In my favor? 

Ma. Entirely. To be sure, there is old Madon, who has 
a grudge against you — 

Cab. What have I ever done to him ? 

Ma. He thinks you haughty. 

Cab. Is it possible? Why, I never meet him that I do 
not inquire for his wife — a most uninteresting woman ! 

Ma. Yes — you pay compliments to his wife, but you 
don't inquire for his cabbages. 

Cab. What do you mean ? 

Ma. He has planted an acre of them for his cows. He 
says that you have passed them twenty times, and that you 
have never so much as said, " Fine cabbages ! " As Presi- 
dent of the Agricultural Society, remember, such things are 
your duty. 

Cab. Good gracious ! To tell the truth, I have not 
even noticed these cabbages! 



UNDER A SPELL. 7 

Ma. That is very remiss in you. Chatflnet, your adver- 
sary, was brighter. This morning he said to him, " Oh, I 
declare ! what splendid cabbages ! " 

Cab. Did he? The rogue ! 

Ma. You ought to go and see father Madon, and just 
squeeze in a word about his cabbages. Only don't appear to 
• make a point of it — do it naturally, you know. 

Cab. At once ! I will go at once ! Jean ! 

Jean (appearing at door). Did Monsieur call? 

Cab. My hat — hurry ! 

{Exit Jean.) 

Ma. I will go with you. I will give you your cue. 
(Jean brings i?i hat.) 

Cab. I have an idea ! I will ask him for some seeds of 
his cabbages ! 

Ma. Capital! Ha! Ha! 

(Exeunt, laughing, C.) 

Jean {alone). Monsieur puts on his best hat to go and get 
cabbage-seeds ! What an idea! 

{Enter Poitimas, with valise?) 

Poitimas. M. Caboussat at home ? 

Jean {aside). A stranger ! 

Poi. Tell him M. Poitimas, President of the Etampes 
Academy, wishes to see him. 

Jean. He has just gone out, but he will not be long. 

Poi. Then I will wait for him. Take my bag. 

Jean. Ah ! Monsieur is going to stay ? 

Poi. Probably. 

Jean {aside). Bah ! A room to be got ready ! 

Poi. I bring M. Caboussat a considerable bit of news. 

Jean. Really ? What is it ? 

Poi. Xone of your business. How is Mile. Blanche, his 
daughter ? 

Jean. Very well, thank you. 

Poi. I have hardly seen the dear child since she came to 
Etampes this summer. I have just received a valuable case 
ef pottery — some ancient nails — and a great many other 
Roman antiquities. 

Jean {puzzled). What are they ? 

Poi. None of your business. Mile. Blanche seemed to 
me like a very pretty and accomplished girl. 

Jean. Oh, indeed she is. But she keeps a pretty sharp 
lookout on the crockery. 



8 UNDER A SPELL. 

Poi. I want to see if I can carry out my plans. 

Jean. What are they ? 

Poi. None of your business. Tell me, when they plough 
in this part of the country, what do they find? 

Jean. How do you mean ? 

Poi. What do they plough up ? 

Jean. Oh! (Pauses to think?) Well — they find — angle- 
worms — 

Poi. I speak of antiquities. Gallo-Roman remains? 

Jean {recoiling). Ah, Monsieur, I don't know anything 
about them. 

Poi. I will profit by my stay here, to do a little excavat- 
ing. By my Gallic map, I have discovered the existence of 
a Roman road at Arpajon. 

Jean. Indeed ! x 

Poi. I have a positive instinct about these things. I have 
only to look at a piece of ground, and I say at once, " I 
smell Roman remains here, or my nose is wrong ! " 

Jean. Indeed ! (Aside?) And I expect he is not quite 
right in his mind ! 

(Enter Blanche.) 

Bla. I cannot find that salad-bowl. 

Jean. Ah, there is Mademoiselle. (He retires up.) 

Bla. Monsieur Poitimas ! 

Pol Mademoiselle ! 

Bla. What a pleasant surprise ! How pleased papa will 
be to see you ! 

Pol Yes — I bring him quite a piece of news. 

Bla. M. Edmond, your son, has not come with you ? 

Pol No — just now he is laid up with a sprained ankle. 

Bla, Oh, what a pity ! 

Poi. It was partly my fault. I had been excavating here 
and there at the end of the park, and forgot to warn any 
one. He fell in there one evening. (Consoled.) But I found 
a knife-handle of the thirteenth century ! 

Bla. And for an old knife-handle you have spoiled my 
partner ? 

Poi. Your partner ? 

Bla. Yes ; this summer M. Edmond invited me to dance 
every evening,; you think he will recover soon ? 

Poi. Oh, it is only an affair of a day or two. 

Bla. He will not be lame ? 

Poi. Oh, no ; that would be a great misfortune, as he is 
almost of an age to marry. 



UNDER A SPELL. 9 

Bla. {ingenuously). Ah ! 

Pol. So are you, I think. 

Bla. I? I don't know? Papa has not spoken of it to 
me. {Aside.) Does he want to request my hand for M. 
Edmond? 

Poi. I have a little proposition to make to you. 

Bla. {aside, nervously). Yes, it is as I thought. 

Pol When they dig in the garden — (Blanche starts) 
what do they find ? 

Bla. Why, I suppose they find earth and stones. 

Por. With inscriptions ? 

Bla. I don't know ! 

Poi. We will ascertain — later. 

Bla. If you like to come upstairs, I shall be happy to 
show you your room. 

Pol {taking bag). Thank you. 

Bla. Your windows look on to the garden. 

Pol So much the better. I can examine the conforma- 
tion of the ground. {Aside?) The place has a Roman 
odor! 

{Exeunt Bla. a?id Pol) 

Jean. He is going to sleep here! It makes me nervous ! 

{Exit Jean, shivering. Enter Caboussat, with cabbage 
in one hand and beet in the other?) 

Cab. Well, old Madon is settled ! I asked for one of 
his cabbages as a work of art — said I was going to put it up 
in my parlor ! {Laughs?) Then, there was a neighbor in 
his field of beets ; he began to look slighted, so I had to do 
the same by him ; he's an elector, too. Asked him for a 
beet — also as a work of art! One must please "the 
masses." But these things are dreadfully heavy ! {Calls.) 
Jean ! 

Jean {entering). Monsieur ? 

Cab. Take these things, Jean. Boil the cabbage. As 
for the beet — cut it up in slices — they are not bad in a 
salad. 

Jean {aside). So Monsieur has taken to doing his own 
marketing now ! 

{Exit Jean.) 

Cab. {alone). All the time I was carrying my cabbage 
home, I was pondering upon what Machut said to me. I 
will be mayor, then councillor-general, then member of 
Parliament, and then — I shall have a place in the ministry, 



10 UNDER A SPELL. 

perhaps — who can tell? But no — it cannot be. I am 
rich, respected, beloved ! — But one thing opposes my plans 
— spelling! I cannot learn to spell! E-a, or a-e — t-i-o-n, 
or c-i-o-n — or s-h-i-o-n — when I am at a loss, I make a 
blot. But that is not correct spelling. When I speak, it is 
all very well — people cannot tell by the sound. But, ah ! 
in my day we did not vegetate in schools. I learned to write 
in twenty-six lessons. To read — I don't know how I 
learned to read ! Then I plunged into the timber business. 
I know my weights and measures, but composition is beyond 
me. Think of the speeches I make. Those startling 
speeches ! All Arpajon listens to me, open-mouthed, like so 
many idiots ! I have a really great reputation. And whom 
have I to thank for it ? An angel — 

Bla. (entering). Papa ! 

Cab. There she is ! There is the angel ! 

Bla. (giving him a paper). I have been looking for you 
to give you this speech which you are to make before the 
" Agricultural Society.'' 

Cab. If I am elected ! You have corrected it. 

Bla. Only made a fair copy of it. 

Cab. Like the others. Ah, dearest, what should I do 
without you? (Referring to paper.) How do you like the 
beginning ? 

Bla. It is splendid, 

Cab. {reading). " Gentlemen and dear fellow-townsmen. 
Agriculture is the noblest of professions." Right to the point, 
you see. Hulloa ! You have put two s's in professions ! 

Bla. Why, certainly. 

Cab. Ah, you little darling. I spelt it t-i-o-n. " The 
noblest of professions," with two s's. "I venture to say 
that those who do not love the ground — whose hearts do 
not bound at the sight of a plough — they do not understand 
the nation's true wealth." Rather pithy, that! Oh, so you 
spell "nation " with a "t." 

Bla. Always. 

Cab. Ha ! ha ! I very stupidly spelt it with an s-h. " The 
nation's true wealth," with a /. 

BLA. (suddenly). Oh, papa, I forgot to tell you that M. 
Poitimas has come ! 

Cab. Poitimas? Poitimas of Etampes ? (Aside) He's 
a real savant! (Aloud.) Why, where is he? (^Looks 
about.) 



UNDER A SPELL. II 

{Enter Poitimas.) 

Cab. Ah ! my dear friend ! I am delighted to see you! 
{Shakes hands warmly.) 

Poi. I have been wanting for some time to explore your 
neighborhood from an archaeological point of view. 

Cab. Ah, yes, broken china, eh ? That always seemed 
to interest you ! 

Poi. Always. I also have an important subject on which 
to consult you. 

Bla. {aside). Ah, the proposal for my hand. {Aloud.) 
I will leave you. I hope, M. Poitimas, that you will spend 
several days with us. 

Poi, I dare not promise. It will depend upon my exca- 
vations. If I find — I will stay ! 

Bla. Then, let us hope you will find ! 
{Exit Blanche.) 

Cab. Nice little girl — my Blanche — don't you think 
so ? 

Pol Charming ! And it is with much pleasure — but of 
this later. My friend, I bring you a very considerable piece 
of news. 

Cab. To me ? 

Pol You are to be nominated, on my recommendation, 
as correspondent member of the Etampes Academy. 

Cab. The Etampes Academy ! {Aside.) He pitchforks 
me into the Academy ! 

Pol There is a surprise for you ! 

Cab. Yes — it — it is a surprise. But I really don't 
know that I ought to accept it. My claims are so slight! 

Pol' And your speeches ? 

Cab. Oh, my speeches are the attraction. {Aside.) The 
little darling! 

Pol Besides, I have my own reasons for nominating 
you. You can be very useful to us. 

Cab. How ? 

Pol You can superintend the excavations I am going to 
make in this country. You can translate the Latin inscrip- 
tions, and you can prepare the reports. 

Cab. {aghast). In Latin? 

Pol And no;v, do you know, I suspect that very near 
Arpajon there are the remains of one of Caesar's camps. Do 
not srpeak of it ! 

Cab. Oh, don't alarm yourself! 



12 UNDER A SPELL. 

Poi. Our department has not found one — it is perhaps 
the only one. 

Cab. Ah, that is against it ! 

Poi. Then, I have made researches which I will com- 
municate to you. Gabius Lentullus must have passed by 
here. 

Cab. No, really? Gaberus Lentul — lul — lul — you're 
sure ? 

Poi. Perfectly. But don't mention it. 

Cab. Oh, don't worry. I will not ! 

Pol But I have come here with still another motive. 
My son Edmond saw Mile. Blanche at Etampes this sum- 
mer; he has fallen desperately in love with her, and I profit 
by my excavations to open the question of marriage. 

Cab. Good gracious ! Well, I can say neither yes nor 
no until I consult my daughter. 

Poi. That is right. Edmond is a good fellow ; affec- 
tionate — accomplished — he never drinks, except a little 
brandy in his coffee, a dot of 130,000 francs. 

Cab. That is nearly as much as I give Blanche. 

Poi. But before we proceed farther — one must confess 
the worst. He has one fault — a fault which is almost 2l 
vice. 

Cab. The devil he has ! What is it ? 

Pol Well, know, then — no, I cannot. I, President of 
the Etampes Academy ! (Giving him letter?) There ! you 
shall read it for yourself. 

Cab. A little hit at the Academy ? 

Pol A letter he sent me a week ago, and which I am 
loath to submit to you. 

Cab. {reading). " My dear papa. I have something to 
confess to you, on which my very life and happiness de- 
pend — " 

Pol (aside, indignantly). Two p's in depend ! The 
wretch ! 

Cab. " 1 have loved Mile. Blanche Caboussat with an 
ardent love ever since the first day I saw her — " 

Poi. (aside). S-o-r — saw ! Oh ! the booby J 

Cab. " 1 do not eat — I do not sleep — " 

Poi. (aside). E-A ! Oh ! 

Cab. " Her image fills my life and haunts my dreams." 

Poi. (aside). Double e in the wrong place! (Aloud.) It 
is atrocious, is it not ? 



UNDER A SPELL. 1 3 

Cab. What ? 

Poi. Well, I wished to tell you — now 3-011 know it. 

Cab. I know that he adores mv daughter ! 

Poi. Bat against all rules ! Well, decide. I will 2:0 and 
inspect your garden ; it seems to me to have a Roman 
aspect. Well — I will see you later. 

{Exit Poit mas) 

Cab. {putting letter in his pock it). What on earth was 
the fault of which he wanted to speak, I wonder ? {Enter 
Blanche, with hat and gloves?) So you have made your 
toilet. Are you going out ? 

Bla. Yes ; I have owed a call to Madame Vercelles for 
a long time. The family is very influential — her husband is 
a voter! I shall take a carriage ! 

Cab One moment. Blanche, have you ever contem- 
plated marrying ? 

Bla. {innocently). I ? Oh, never, papa. 

Cab. Well, suppose a nice young man were to solicit 
your hand — affectionate — accomplished — no drinks, except 
in coffee — 

Bla. {aside). M. Edmond ! 

Cab. Should you, under these circumstances, feel any 
repugnance — 
' Bla. {eagerly). Oh, no, papa. {Demurely.) That is — I 
should want to do as you wished. 

Cab. I only desire that you should be happy, after all 
you have done for me. 

Bla. What have I done for you, papa ? 

Cab. Why, my speeches — my letters. 

Bla. I have only rewritten them. 

Cab. Yes, that's right — we don't want to dwell too 
much on them. Go, and come back early. 
{Exit Blanche.) 

Cab. Oh, by the bye! I have a guest ! I must think 
of dinner. An academician ; just the sort of man to relish 
delicacies ! Jean ! 

Jean {entering). Monsieur — ? 

Cab. What have we for dinner? 

Jean. Well, Monsieur, there is the cabbage — and then 
the beet — 

Cab. - I don't mean those, idiot ! 

Jean. Why, when Monsieur goes to maiket him- 
self— 



14 UNDER A SPELL. 

(Enter Poitimas, triumphantly, with a fragment of a 
Dutch oven, full of earth, and a rusty old spit.) 

Poi. (excitedly). I came — I rummaged — I found ! 

Cab. What have you there ? 

Poi. A Roman shield — "scutum," you know, the long 
shield — 

Cab. Yes ? 

Poi. " Clypeus " is the round shield. 

Jean (aside to Cab.). Monsieur — it is a piece of our old 
Dutch oven ! (Laughs softly?) 

Cab. (to Jean). So it is ! I remember it perfectly ! 

Poi. Here you see the "gladium" ! (Brandishes spit.) 
The centurion's sword ! An extremely rare piece. 

Jean (aside to Cab.). It is our old broken spit! 

Cab. (laughing, aside). This man would find something 
Roman in a burnt lucifer match ! 

Poi. My friend ! I have discovered a burial mound at 
the bottom of the garden. 

Jean (horror-stricken, aside). At the bottom of the 
garden ! 

Poi. I am so excited ! (To Jean.) Go and buy me two 
sous' worth of Blanc d'Espagne, mix and strain it for me, 
and bring it to me in a. bowl ! 

Cab. What will you do with it ? 

Poi. I want to clean up these fragments. I hope to dis- 
cover some inscriptions. Go! 

Jean. Immediately. (Aside.) He must be a rag-and- 
bone man ! 

(Exit Jean.) 

Poi. Oh, I forgot — I came to say that there is a peach- 
tree in the way. 

Cab. Where ? 

Poi. At the bottom of the garden — to the left. I wanted 
to ask if I might cut it down. 

Cab. Oh, no, please! It produces sitch peaches ! They 
arc small — but very juicy. 

Poi. My friend, I demand it in the name of science. 
(Strikes aid hide?) 

Cap,. Ah, now you speak of science, I can refuse her 
nothing. (Aside.) She who refuses me everything! 

Poi. Thank you — thank you in the name of Archae- 
ology ! I will return and continue my researches. By the 
way, have you spoken to your daughter of this marriage ? 



UNDER A SPELL. 1 5 

Cab. I have just hinted at it. She seems to have no 
objection. 

Poi. And the fault? Have you confided it yet? 

Cab. Not yet. I am deliberating upon the best means of 
breaking it to her. 

Poi. Yes, poor child. It is a terrible thing. I will 
return later. It smells more than ever of~Roman remains! 
{Exit Poitimas.) 

Cab. I am rather worried about that fault that is 
almost a vice. I should be glad to know what it is. 

Ma. {appearing at back and speaking off). It is a slan- 
der, and I will prove it to you ! 

Cm Machut ! what is the matter ? 

Ma. M. Chatfinet has spread an infamous report about 
me ! 

Cab. The unprincipled wretch ! 

Ma. He states that /have killed your cow ! 

Cab. But it is false. She died before you arrived ! 

Ma. Yes ; write that on a piece of paper now, and I will 
take it to him and contradict the creature ! 

Cab. {aside). Write it! And my daughter is not at 
home ! {Aloud.) My friend, this is one of those base and 
improbable lies to which a man replies best by scorn and 
silence ! 

Ma. Oh, yes; but I prefer to shut him up. Quick — 
write me a few words ! 

"Cab. But you do not consider; it will look like a cer- 
tificate ! 

Ma. Exactly. That is what I want. 

Cab. No, I cannot — it is impossible. 

Ma. What ? You refuse ? You refuse to speak the 
truth? For me? /, who have tramped the country for the 
last eight days, inducing people to vote for you ! 

Cab. You are right. Yes, I will give you this cer- 
tificate. 

Ma. Ah ! 

Cab. Later — to-morrow. 

Ma. Immediately! The electors have assembled, and I 
want to read it before them all. 

Cab. {aside). Before them all! And Blanche is not 
here! 

Ma. It affects my reputation — my honor as a veterinary 
surgeon! If I cannot refute this, I am lost! Ruined! 



1 6 UNDER A SPELL. 

Obliged to quit the country ! Think of my wife and my five 
children ! 

Cab. {relenting). It's a fact — he has five children. 

Ma. {arranging paper). There — write here. It is noth- 
ing for a scholar like you to scratch off two lines. 

Cab. Two lines only, then. (Sits at table, R.) 

Ma. u This is to certify that my cow died before M. 
Machut arrived at my house." That is not long. 

Cab. True. {Aside.) Probably I can do it with the aid 
of a few blots* " This — is — to — certify — F-I — I do'nt 
think there is a final e ! But I am not sure ! Hang it ! 
Here goes for a blot ! (Continues writing.) 

Ma. Ah, now we shall see how disconcerted M. Chat- 
finet will be ! 

Car. (giving paper). There, my friend. Excuse an occa- 
sional blot — a very bad pen! 

Ma. {taking and folding paper, witho7it looking at it). 
Oh, that makes no difference — I am quite satisfied ! 

Cab. (aside). Well, I am not satisfied ! 
{Enter Blanche.) - 

Bla. I have returned. 

Cab. Ah! you have arrived too late. I have just written 
a certificate (aside to Blanche) myself! 

Bla. What do you mean ? 

Ma. Yes, here it is ! I am going to show it to everyone. 
{Puts it in his coat pocket and looks for hat) 

Cab. (aside to Bla.). Oh, if you had only been at home ! 

Bla. {aside to Cab.). At any cost, we must get hold of 
this paper. 

Cab. {to her). But how ? (Bla. goes to window?) 

Bla. (aside to Cab.). He has it in his coat pocket. I 
have an idea ! (To Machut.) JVL Machut, have you your 
case of instruments with you, your lancet? 

Ma. Yes ; why ? 

Bla. Run quickly, then — the bay mare has just fallen 
with a rush of blood to the head! 

Ma. Ah ! the poor mare! And this morning the cow! 
I will hurry! I don't want them to accuse me of anything 
else ! {Going.) 

Bla. Better take your coat off — it will be in your 
way ! 

Ma. No, I can't stop! (Rushes out, C.) 

Bla. Unsuccessful ! 



UNDER A SPELL. 1 7 

Cab. Oh, Blanche ! Do you think the poor animal — 

Bla. Oh, the poor animal is very well ! A trick to in- 
duce M. Machut to leave his coat ! 

Cab. Oh, I understand! He usually works in his shirt- 
sleeves. 

Bla. But now, when he finds the mare is not ill — 

Cab. Rest assured ! He will find something the matter. 
He opens a beast's eyelid, and then turns to you and ex- 
claims, " Yes, it is a sprain! " 

{Reenter Machut.) 

Ma. There ! It is done. 

Cab. What? 

Ma. I have bled the animal. 

Cab. Well — that's right. 

Ma. Abundantly — two minutes later the poor thing 
would have been dead. 

Jean {entering with bowl). Here is the Blanc-d'Es- 
pagne. 

Bla. {aside). Oh! another idea! {To Jean.) Throw all 
that on Machut ! 

Jean {to Blanche). Oh! I'm afraid he will not like 
it! 

Bla. {to Jean). Do as I tell you ! 

Jean. Well, I don't mind ! {He passes between Ma- 
chut and Caboussat, and icpsets bowl on Machut's coat.) 

Ma. {hopping about). Murder! Fire! Oh! 

Bla. You clumsy fellow ! 

Cab. Idiot! 

Jean. But Mademoiselle told me to — 

Bla. {aside to Jean). Keep still, you foolish man ! 

Jean {going out). I will get a brush ! {Exit, R.) 

Cab. {to Machut). Quick! Take off your coat! 

Ma. {absently, brushing his shoulder with one hand). 
Thank you — if it is not too much trouble. 

Cab. Come, take it off at once ! 

{They help him.) 

Bla. {taking coal). I will go and brush it, and bring it 
back to you ! 

{Exit Blanche, hurriedly, l.) 

Ma. Really, I am very much obliged. It is very kind of 
Mile. Blanche to brush it herself. 

Cab. {loftily). Yes, that is a little way we have here ! 

Ma. {aside). Any one could see that it is election-day ! 



1 8 UNDER A SPELL. 

Jean {entering quickly with brush). Here is a brush! 
{Vigorously brushing Machut's shirt.) 

Ma. Aie ! You prick me with the bristles ! 

Pox. {entering with broken chi7ia and handkerchief?) Ah ! 
my friends ! What joy ! I have found an ancient burial- 
mound under the peach-tree ! 

Jean {aside). My hiding-place ! 

Poi. {holding up golden porcelain). Look at this, in the 
first place ! 

Jean {aside). Drat it ! The gilded salad-bowl. 

Cab. Eh ? I recognize that ! 

Poi. The mark is underneath — an F. and a C. 

Cab. {aside). Francois Caboussat! 

Poi. {joyously). Fabius Cunctator ! It is signed! 

Cab. {looking at Jean). Who broke this ? 

Poi. The Romans, undoubtedly. 

Jean. Yes — it was the Romans. {Aside.) The wretch 
actually digs up everything I bury. 

{Exit Jean, l.) 

Poi. {holding up part of a ctispador). Here is another 
fragment. Do you know what it is ? 

Ma. Eh ? {Steps up to look. Recoiling?) Yes, I can 
tell you what that is ! 

Cab. Let me see. {Looking,- and quickly falling back.) 
So can I ! Why does he bring it here ? 

Pol {fondly). Very rare — it is a tear-bottle; — of the 
Decline! 

Cab. That ? {Aside?) But what is the use of enlighten- 
ing him ? It amuses him. 

Pol {romantically). When the Romans lost a member 
of their family, it was into this that they poured forth their 
sorrows ! 

Ma. {suppressing laughter). Really ? That was a curi- 
ous custom ! 

(Pol goes to buffet and arranges his spoils.) 

Jkan {entering, l). Here is your coat, Monsieur. 

Ma. (putting it on). Thank you. Have I still the cer- 
tificate ? {Feels in pocket.) Yes, here it is. 

CAB. (aside). Blanche's writing! I am saved! 

Ma. Well, I must leave you. I am going to the election. 
I will come back to give you any news. 
{Exit Maciiut.) 

Cab. {to Jican). Explain to me how the gilded salad- 
bowl — 



UNDER A SPELL. I9 

Jean. Excuse me — they are waiting for me to chop some 
wood. {Exit, rapidly.) 

P 'oi. {at buffet). A piece of glass ! Glass// 

Cab. {aside). Yes, my decanter ! 

Poi. {coming down). And there are donkeys who pre- 
tend to say that the Romans did not know glass ! I will let 
fly a dissertation at them. 

Cab. That will be capital ! 

Poi. My friend, I owe to you one of the richest days in 
my life, and I will at once make known to my colleagues — 
{smiling, correcting himself) to our colleagues (Cab. bows 
awkwardly) at the Academy this great archaeological fact ! 

Cab. That will be a — a good idea. 

Poi. I will beg them to institute a committee to continue 
the excavations in your garden. 

Cab. Oh, no ! 

Poi. In the name of science! Quick — a pen — 
ink — 

{He goes to buffet/) 

Cab. Not there — at this table ! 

(Poi. sits at table, R.) 

Pol Ah, you have only quill-pens ? 

Cab. Always. A fifty-year-old habit of mine. 

Pol They are too blunt. You have a knife ? 

Cab. {giving him one). Here you are ! 

Pol {with ironical smile, w/nle sharpening pen). Ah! 
So the Romans did not know glass. {Screams.) Oh ! 

Cab. What is the matter ? 

Pol I have cut myself! 

Cab. Wait — in the drawer — {Flies to drazver of static, 
up L. c.) a rag! — {Binds up PoiTIMAS* finger?) I will 
make you a little doll ! Don't move — there ! 

Pol Thank you. Now I shall have to ask a favor. 

Cab. What ? 

Pol Take the pen in my stead. I will dictate. 

Cab. (aside). The devil! {Aloud.) But don't vou 
think — 

Pol What? {Rises ana I reseats himself, l. c.) 

Cab. {deprecatinglv). For me to write to the Academy — 

Pol Why, you are a corresponding mem; 

Cab. {sitting at table). All right. {Aside/) Every one 
seems to conspire to get me to write to-day, and my daugh- 
ter not here ! 



20 UNDER A SPELL. 

Poi. Are you ready? 

Cab. One moment. (Aside.) Perhaps — with blots ! 

Vol. (dictating). " My dear friends and colleagues. Ar- 
chaeology is soon to be enriched — " 

Cab. (aside). What plaguey long words ! 

Poi. Have you written that ? 

Cab. Wait. (Aside.) Archaeology ! q-u-e or k-e, I won- 
der ? Oh, a thought ! (Seizes knife and begins to sharpen 
pen.) 

Poi. u Is soon to be enriched, thanks to my indefatigable 
investigations — " 

Cab. (uttering a cry). Wow ! 

Poi. What is the matter ? 

Cab. I have cut my finger ! Get me another rag out of 
the drawer ! 

(Poi. rushes to stand, L. c, and gets rag.) 

Poi. Here it is — wait — let me play the good Samaritan 
this time. (Binds up Cab.'s finger.) 

Cab. (aside). Ah, that is it! I am saved! (Wiggles 
finger?) 

Poi. (wiggling finger). This is distressing! 

(A pause ; both sit and look at each other ; wiggling fin- 
gers.) 

Cab. Shall I call my daughter ? She writes a beautiful 
hand. 

Poi. Oh, you are a happy father! Do you think she will 
accept my son ? 

Cab. Why not ? 

Poi. Excuse my pressing for a speedy answer, but it is a 
family matter. In Etampes, on the Boulevard, there is a 
charming villa which will be to let by All Saint's Day — 

Cab. Well? 

Poi. I could buy it for them to start housekeeping in. 

Cab. Eh ? My daughter go to live in Etampes ? 

Poj. Certainly; the wife follows the husband. 

CAB. Oh, but — (Aside.) No, I could never get along 
with my spelling at Etampes and myself in Arpajon ! Im- 
possible ! 

Bla. (entering). I hope 1 do not intrude. 

POL I will leave you, Mademoiselle. I have just asked 
your father to communicate to you my — er — a considera- 
ble communication ! 

Bla. Ah ! 



UNDER A SPELL. 21 

Poi. I should be most happy if you would consider it ! 
(Voice outside cries, " M. Poitimas / M. Poitimas / ") 

Pot. There is your gardener calling me. I left him in 
charge of the new excavations under the plum-tree. (Bows 
to Bla. and exit c.) 

Cab. {aside). Evidently this young man will not do for 
us at all. Besides, he has a fault. I don't know what it is ; 
but it is almost a vice ! 

Bla. Well, papa, what is your "communication"? 

Cab. This is it. Ridiculous ! Preposterous ! Poitimas 
actually took it into his head that you would marry his son 
Edmond! 

Bla. {with suppressed emotion). Indeed ! 

Cab. You do not know him — I will describe him to 
you. He is not a bad fellow — but he is bald, short-sighted, 
vulgar, with a " corporation like an alderman!" 

Bla. But, papa — 

Cab. I do not wish to bias you — you are perfectly free, 
you understand. And then he has lost three front teeth — 

Bla. Oh, come ! Not so bad as that ! 

Cab. Also, he has a fault — a dreadful fault — almost a 
vice ! 

Bla. A vice ! M. Edmond ! 

Cab. {taking out letter). Yes, I have it right here in my 
pocket. Listen and tremble ! {Aside.) Perhaps she will 
detect the vice ! {Reads.) " My dear papa. I have some- 
thing to confess to you, on which my very life and happiness 
depend. I have loved Mile. Blanche Caboussat with an 
ardent love — " 

Bla. (aside). Ah! How good he is ! 

Cab. " Ever since the first day I saw her at Etampes. I 
do not eat, I do not sleep — " 

Bla. {aside). Poor fellow ! 

Cab. Have you discovered the fault yet ? 

Bla. No ! 

Cab. {aside). Then it must be farther along. {Reads.) 
" Her image fills my life." That is abominable, is it not? 

Bla. On the contrary, I think it is beautiful. 

Cab. Beautiful! (Putting letter in pocket.) I was cer- 
tain that this marriage would not suit you. 

Bla. {surprised). Why, papa ! — 

Pol {entering). They have cut down the plum-tree, but 
they have found nothing. 



22 UNDER A SPELL. 

Cab. My plum-tree ! The devil they have ! 
- Pol (to Bla.). Well, Mademoiselle, what reply am I to 
take to my son ? 

Bla. (confused}. Really, sir — 

Cab. {aside to Bla.). Let me answer for you. (To 
Pol) I am very sorry, my dear friend, to be obliged to tell 
you that it will be impossible to overlook that fault. 

Pol I Understand. 1 was prepared for this. 

Cab. (to Bla.). You see, M. Poitimas was prepared for 
this. 

Poi. But do not throw me into despair. Promise me 
that some day — if, for instance, h% should ever become a 
Bachelor — 

Cab. (aside). The deuce ! Isn't he one now ? 

Poi. A Bachelor of Arts — 

Cab. (brightening). Oh, in that case — 

Pot. We understand each other. I will go and strap my 
valise, and return home at once. (Blanche retires up, 
weeping softly.) I hasten to report this bad news to my 
son. But I have a favor to ask. May I take away these 
relics of a bygone age ? (Points to fragments.) 

Cab. Certainly — now that they are broken ! 

Poi. I will put them in the Etampes Museum, with the 
inscription ki Caboussatus donavit." (Bows low and goes 
towards door.) 

Cab. You are very kind ! 

(Exit Poitimas.) 

Cab. Well, that affair is over. Are you happy ? What ! 
What is the matter! Are you crying? 

Bla. You did not tell the truth about M. Edmond. He 
is not bald and vulgar! He is handsome and clever and 
good ? 

Cab. How do you know that ? 

Bla. We danced together last summer. 

Cab. Bother it! Really? And he is not displeasing to 
you ? 

BLA. (shyly). Not very. 

CAB. {aside). She loves him! Poor little thing! Lve 
actually made her cry ! 

MA. (entering). You're elected! Chatfinet had just one 
vote — his own! (Cab. aoes not reply.) Eh? My news 
does not seem to please you ? 

Cam. Qh, your news t Yes — oh, yes, delightful ! 



UNDER A SPELL. 23 

Ma. Good luck to you! (Calling.} Jean! (To Cab.) 
I have told him to get out two baskets of wine. 

Cab. What for? 

Ma. To wet the whistle of the masses — to give the 
agricultural classes a holiday ! It is only fair ! Jean! Bring 
the wine ! 

Jean (entering with two baskets of wine). Here it is! 
(Aside to Ma.) I have stuck in two bottles of Bordeaux — 
you and me, you know ! 

Ma. (taking one basket). Let us go, then ! 
(Exeimt Jean and Machut.) 

Cab., (aside). My poor little Blanche ! I must not hesi- 
tate ! (Sits at table, and takes pen and paper.) 

Bla. Eh ? He is writing all by himself! (Looks over 
his shoulder.) 

Cab. (writing). " Citizens of Arpajon. I send in my 
resignation — " 

Bla. Nonsense ! (Takes paper and tears it.) 

Cab. What are you doing ? 

Bla. " Resignation " is spelt with a " t " ! 

Cab. Dear, dear ! I put s-h again ! (Aside.) I can't 
even resign without my daughter! 

(Poitimas' voice heard outside, speaking.) 

Cab. There he is again ! 

Bla. I will go. 

Cab. No — stay. 

Pol (ottering with valise). My dear friend, before tak- 
ing leave of you — 

Cab. (taking valise). My dear friend — women are 
changeable creatures. I have just been talking again with 
my daughter, and we have turned over the pros and cons. 
In short, I have the satisfaction of telling you that she con- 
sents to marry your son. (Bla. demonstrates joy.) 

Poi. (dropping his relics). Ah, Mademoiselle, how happy 
I am ! I will at once buy the little house in Etampes. 

Bla. What little house ? 

Cab. (sadly). That which you will occupy with your 
husband. 

Bla. (aside). Oh, poor papa! What will become of his 
lectures? (To Pot.) There is one condition which papa 
has forgotten to mention. 

Pol What is that ? 

Bla. On no condition whatever will I consent to leave 
Arpajon. 



24 UNDER A SPELL. 

Cab. {aside). Ah, the dear child ! 

Pol I understand. It is a district so rich from an 
archaeological point of view ! That will not be an obstacle. 
We will only ask you to come to Etampes two months out 
of the year. 

Bla. {looking at Cab.). Two months — 

Cab. {aside to Bla.). Accept. I will arrange my affairs 
to suit. {Aside.) I can always cut my finger! {To Pol) 
That is quite satisfactory. 

Pol {to Bla.) How good you are to overlook Edmond's 
fault ! 

Bla. What fault ? 

Pol {aside to Cab.). You have not told her ? 

Cab. No ; my courage failed me ! You tell her. {Aside.) 
Now we shall know what it is ! 

Pol {to Bla.). My son is a good fellow — affectionate, 
accomplished, no drinks (except in coffee), but — he has 
never been able to learn to spell correctly. 

Cab. {aside, in relief). Is that all? 

Bla. Oh, well, we'll manage that! My father knows 
how easily that fault is overcome ! 

Cab. (aside to aiidience). Another pupil ! She will have 
to pose as the family dictionary ! 

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DANDELION'S DODGES. A Farce in 1 

Act. Br T, J. Williams. 4 male, 2 female char. 

THS DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT. 

A frrama ia 2 Acts. By Edward Fltcball. 6 male. 

2 female char. 

DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. An Interlude 

in 1 Act. Br W. H. Murray. 10 male. 1 female. 

DONS ON feOTH SIDES. A £arce in 1 

Aet. By J. M. Marton. 8 male, 2 female char. 

DON'T JUDGE BY APPEARANCES. A 

iaree ia 1 Aot. By J. M. Morton. 3 male. 2 female. 

DORA. A Pastoral Drama in 3 Acts. By 

Chas. Reade. » male, 2 female char. 

A DOUBTFUL VICTORY. A Comedy in 

1 Aot. 8 male, 2 female char. 

DUNDUCKETTY'S PICNIC. A Farce in 1 

Aet. By T. J. Williams. d male, 3 female char. 

EAST LYNNS. A Drama in 5 Acts. 8 

male, 7 female char. 

OASPARDO THE GONDOLIER. A Drama 

In 3 Aets. By Qeorg* Altnar. 10 male, 2 female. 

GIVE A DOG A BAD NAME. A Farce. 

2 male, 2 female char. 

THE HIDDEN HAND. A Drama in 5 Acta. 

By Robert Jones. 1ft male-, 7 female char. 

HIT HIM, HS HAS NO FRIENDS. A 

Fareo In 1 Aot By ti. Tates and N. U. Harrington. 
7 male, 3 female char. 

A HUSBAND TO ORDER. ASerlo-comio 

Drama In 3 Acts. 5 male, 3 female char. 

TVS WRITTEN TO BROWNE. A Farce 

In l Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 male, 3 female ohar. 

JOHN DOBBS. A Farce in 1 Act. By 

J. M. Morton. 5 male, 2 female char. 

JOHN WOPPS. A Farce in 1 Aot. By 

W. JB. Suter. 4 male. 2 female char. 
THE LOST CHILDREN. A MU9ioal En- 
tertainment in 6 Aets. By Mrs. Lewis Jerrey. f 

male, female ohar., and chorus. 

LOOK AFTER BROWN. A Farce in 1 Act. 

By Qeorfe A Stuart, M.D. 6 male, 1 female char. 

LOST IN LONDO*. A Drama in 3 Aoti. 

• Male, 4 female char. 



LYING WILL OUT. A Comedy In 4 A«te, 

Br H. Belham Curtis. 6 male, 4 female eha*. 

MADAM IS ABED. A Vaudeville in 1 4 zU 

2 male, 2 female char. 

MARY MOO; or, Which Shall I Marej? 

A Farce in 1 Act. By W. E. Suter. 2 male, 1 "&a. 

M0N3EIGNEUR. A Drama in 3 Acts. By 

Thomas Archer. J5 male, 8 female char. 

MY PRE CIOUS BETSY. A Farce in 1 A ?t. 

By J. M. Morton. 4 male, 4 female char. 

MY TURN NEXT. A Farce in 1 Act. *ry 

T. J. Williams. 4 male, 3 female ehar. 

NICHOLAS FLAM. A Comedy in 2 Afite. 

By J. B. Buckstoue. o male, 3 female char. 

NONE SO DEAF AS THOSE WHO WOJS'f 

Hear. A Comedietta in 1 Act. By H. B. Curtis 2 

male, 2 female char. 

'3 UR3E Y CHICK WEED. A Farce in 1 A >t. 

By T. J. Williams. 4 male, 2 female char. 

OLD HONESTY. A Comic Drama in 2 

Acts. By J. M. Morton. 5 male, 2 female char. 

ONLY A CLOD. A Comic Drama in 1 Act. 

By J. P. Simpson. 4 male, 1 female char. 

PAYABLE ON DEMAND. A Domestic 

Drama in 2 Acts. 7 male, 1 female char. 

THE PHANTOM BREAKFAST. A Farce 

in 1 Act. By Chai. Selby. 8 male, 2 female char. 

PUTKIN3; Heir to Castles in the Air. 

A Comic Drama In 1 Act. By W. R. Emerson. 2 

male, 2 female char. 

THE QUEEN'S HEART. A Comedy in 3 

Acts. 5 male, 4 female char. 

A RACE FOR A WIDOW. A Farce iu 1 

Act. By T. J. William*. 5 male, 4 female char 

SARAH'S YOUNG MAN. A Farce m 1 

Act. By W. E. Suter. 8 male, 8 female char. 

THE SCARLET LETTER. A Drama in 3 

AcU. 8 male, 7 female char. 

SILVERSTONE'S WAGER. A Comedl- 

etta in 1 Act. By B. K. Andrews. 4 male, 3 female. 

A SLICE OF LUCK. A Farce in 1 Act. 

By J. M. Morton. 4 male, 2 female char. 

SMASHINGTON GOIT. A Farce in 1 A et. 

By T. J. Williams. 5 male, 3 female char. 

A SOLDIER, A SAILOR, A TINKER, 

and a Tailor. A Farce in 1 Act. 4 male, 2 female. 

SUN3HINE THROUGH THE CLOUDS. 

A Drama in 1 Aet. By SUhgsby Lawrence. 3 male, 

3 female char. 

TRUE UNTO DEATH. A Drama in 2 A As. 

Bv J. Sheridan Know lex. 6 male, 2 female chai. 

THE TURKISH BATH. A Farce in 1 < ct. 

By Montague Williams and F. C. Buruand. 6u-*i k 
1 female char. 

TWO GENTLEMEN IN A FIX. A Farce 

in 1 Act. By W. K. Suter. £ male char. 

TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONF. A 

Farce in 1 Act. By JLenox Home. 4 male, 1 fen vie 

THE TWO PUDDIFOOTS. A Farce u » 

Act. Br J. M. Morton. 3 male, 8 female char. 

AN UGLY CUSTOMER. A Farce in 1 Act. 

By Thomas J. William*. 8 male, 2 female char. 

UNCLE ROBERT. A Comedy in 3 Acts, 

Bv H. P. Curtis. 8 male, 2 female char. 

A VERY PLEASANT EVENING. A Fan* 

in 1 Act. Br W. E. Suter. 8 male char. 

THE WELSH GIRL. A Comedy in 1 Act 

By Mrs. i'lanrhe. 8 male, 2 female char. 

WHICH WILL HAVE HIMT A Vaude 

ville. 1 male. 2 female char. 

THE WIFE'S SECRET. A Play in 5 Acts 

Br Qeo. W. Lovell. 10 male, S female char. 

YOUR LIFE'S IN DANGER. A Farce fci 

1 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 2 female ehar. 



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